For infants, the Sacrament of Baptism should be celebrated as soon as possible after the birth of the child. If this is your first child, you should contact Fr. Grodi as soon as possible during your pregnancy in order to complete your formation before birth. Baptisms are regularly celebrated for adults through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Contact Fr. Grodi for more information about infant baptism, or Deacon Dan for information about adult baptisms.
The Sacrament of Confirmation completes our baptism and bestows upon us the sevenfold Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is the Christian's personal experience of Pentecost! For those who are baptized in the Catholic Church as infants, Confirmation in received in the Diocese of Toledo either in 7th or 8th grade. For those who were baptized in another Christian Church, we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on an ongoing basis following a period of formation in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Please contact Fr. Grodi if you were baptized Catholic and wish to be confirmed and contact Deacon Dan for more information about becoming Catholic through OCIA.
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith. Holy Mass is offered every day here at St. Thomas More at times convenient to a college student population.
Though all are welcome to join us in prayer at Holy Mass, because Catholics believe that Holy Communion is a sign of the reality of oneness in faith, life, and worship, Christians not in union with the Catholic Church are not admitted to Holy Communion. Members of the Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are welcomed by the Catholic Church to receive Holy Communion, but are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches.
Baptized Catholics ordinarily receive their first Holy Communion in 2nd Grade. No matter your age, please contact Fr. Grodi about receiving your first Holy Communion.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an important part of ongoing conversion. Regular celebration of this sacrament is an essential component to living a Catholic way of life. Confessions are heard every day here at St. Thomas More during the academic year. More information on the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Tom's, including a guide to preparing for and celebrating the sacrament, is available for you HERE.
Many of our students find themselves preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony while attending St. Thomas More. Both students and permanent community members are welcome to schedule their Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Thomas More. Students who plan to get married at their home parish may complete their sacramental preparation while at St. Thomas More as well, with permission of their home pastor. If you are recently engaged, please contact Fr. Grodi or Deacon Dan as soon as possible to begin preparation. A minimum of six (6) months are required for marriage preparation in the Diocese of Toledo. .
Every young, Catholic man should ask the question: "Is God calling me to be a priest?" For most, the answer will be "No." For some, the answer will be "Yes." Everyone will benefit from asking the question and discerning the answer. A monthly men's discernment group is held at St. Tom's to help men at BGSU discover their vocation in life. Contact Fr. Grodi about discerning a vocation to the Priesthood.
Men from our permanent community may feel the Lord's call to discern a vocation to the Diaconate. As ordained ministers of the Church, Deacons serve the People of God in Sacrament, Word, and Charity. Contact Deacon Dan about discerning a vocation to the Diaconate.
The Anointing of the Sick is available for anyone who is in danger because of a serious illness or old age. This Sacrament is usually celebrated privately at St. Thomas More and is available upon request. If there is a medical emergency, a priest is available 24/7 by contacting the parish at 419-352-7555.